USC vs OSU A Not-So-Much Anticipated Game

The Ohio State Buckeyes face off against the USC Trojans on Saturday Sept. 13th for one of the most anticipated matchups of the year... or is it still anticipated anymore? After Ohio State's game against Ohio, people seem to be more skeptical about the Buckeyes. They couldn't move the ball against a MAC team, and they couldn't stop the Bobcat running game.

This is supposed to be one of the better defensive teams in Division 1 football. We have to give props to an OU team who came out with nothing to lose. The sad thing is, they lost their starting QB early in the game, and backup Boo Jackson ran all over the Bucks. Good thing he couldn't throw the ball. I guess there is one thing good about playing USC, Sanchez is a pocket passer.

As we have seen in the past, any time the Buckeyes play a team with a running QB, they seem to fall apart. Let's reflect: Juice Williams, Tim Tebow and Chris Leak resulted in Buckeyes losses. Another Loss came from Penn State two years ago against Michael Robinson. Let's not forget Vince Young either. I think there is a pattern showing here. Tressel is a great coach don't get me wrong, but why can't he stop a running QB? Thank God Pryor didn't go to Michigan or they could have added another to the list at the end of the year.

We all know that the Buckeyes need work, and if they want to beat USC, they're going to have to play some flawless football. After watching USC trample a not-so-bad Virginia team and seeing OSU almost blow one against a MAC team, this game is not as anticipated as it used to be. I love the Buckeyes and I'm not sure I would go with the Buck's on this one. The line for the game as of today is 10 1/2. Thank you to whoever thought it was only going to be a 10 point game. If the Bucks play like they did last week, 35 line without a doubt. So what do the Buckeyes have to do to even keep this game close?

I got one word for Tressel: Pryor! He may not have played against a decent defense yet but this kid was not the #1 recruit for nothing. What I see in Pryor is a little bit of Vince Young who single-handily beat USC in the Championship game in 2005. If Ohio State wants to put the ball in the end-zone, Pryor is the key. He is a game-changer and he needs to be used in 50% of the offense. Boeckman is going to need to be much more consistent with his passes, and they need to take shots down the field. Boeckman has a B-E-A-utiful deep ball and two great receiver's in Robiskie, and Hartline.

Let's not forget that the Buckeyes were without Chris "Beanie" Wells last week against OU. He is a Heisman hopeful for a reason. He has to be 100% healthy against a tough USC defense if he wants to do some damage on the ground. If the Ohio State is healthy, and can erase last week from their minds, they may be able to give USC a game, but not enough for a win. I predict a USC win 31-17. Look for a hot start from the Buck's to later watch them fall apart. Maybe something a little like the last two National Championship games they played in.